Companies, individuals and charities have sprung into action to offer help to anyone affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

The British and Irish Lions must head to New Zealand without one of the most destructive forwards in world rugby after England number eight Billy Vunipola withdrew from the squad through injury.

HOW coincidental my exasperation on these pages at the fading art of kicking should be followed last Saturday by the wayward clearance that may define this season’s Six Nations championship, writes Ronan O’Gara.

Call it coincidence, but there was a prescient air of doom and gloom — amongst media and supporters at any rate — among the Pro12 sides heading into Round 2 of the Champions Cup. With good reason, as it transpired.

Sam Burgess has left Bath with immediate effect.

My memory of a lot of things from my career wouldn’t be perfect, but Ireland v England at Croke Park in 2007 is as clear as it gets.

Joe Schmidt is "one of the best coaches in the Test arena" and could lead the Lions in 2017, according to Will Greenwood — who has backed Ireland to win the World Cup.

Sky Sports pundits Alan Quinlan and Will Greenwood were adamant Munster will need a vast improvement when they travel to France next week and skipper Peter O’Mahony is in total agreement.

New Zealand have dominated the International Rugby Board awards with Kieran Read being crowned player of the year.

More than a few questions asked by the Waratahs on Saturday here in Sydney, the majority answered emphatically by the tourists — but at what cost?

Finally the ARU have shown a bit of leadership and common sense.

It is too easy to be cynical about The Lions. But if I have learned anything in life, it is that; if an easy option presents itself, your search for options is over.

Stade Francais’ Jerome Fillol looks set to become the first professional player to be cited for spitting at an opponent.

Last Saturday’s victory in Cardiff was a moment and a spectacle to savour for Irish rugby but the stakes will be even higher in the Aviva on Sunday, a win and Ireland will not only be favourites for the championship but can dream of another Grand Slam.

Will Greenwood has backed England’s under-pressure centres to answer their critics at the Rugby World Cup.

Chris Ashton admitted he could not resist risking the wrath of coach Martin Johnson by celebrating two of his four tries with a swallow dive as England crushed Italy 59-13 at Twickenham.

England 59 Italy 13

Jonny Wilkinson today shrugged off the critics and vowed to keep his cool in the face of mounting criticism.

MARTIN JOHNSON will keep faith with Jonny Wilkinson when he names his England team at noon today to face Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

Martin Johnson last night took a swipe at critics of England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson – and insisted the whole team must bear responsibility for the uninspiring performance against Italy.

MARTIN JOHNSON is not the sort of man who indulges in mind-games, but yesterday he braced himself to face a wounded animal when Ireland head to Twickenham a week on Saturday.

England manager Martin Johnson today launched a vigorous defence of Jonny Wilkinson and blasted critics for working to their own agenda.

Martin Johnson revealed England are preparing to take Italy on at their own game after he announced a forward-dominated bench for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations showdown at the Stadio Flaminio.

I AM astounded that Brian O’Driscoll has been sensationally passed over for the International Rugby Board player of the year award for 2009 in favour of New Zealand’s Richie McCaw.

MARTIN JOHNSON’S bid to keep his management team in place for the Six Nations could be undermined after it emerged Mike Ford is being considered for the England rugby league head coach’s job.

ENGLAND’s RFU will submit a government-backed bid to stage the 2015 World Cup. Twickenham, Wembley, Old Trafford and Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium are set to be included as venues in the RFU’s blueprint.

The Rugby Football Union has confirmed it will submit a bid to host the World Cup in 2015.

Will Greenwood believes the British and Irish Lions will travel to South Africa with "six or seven World XV players".

WILL GREENWOOD believes Ireland Grand Slam captain Brian O’Driscoll should lead the Lions in South Africa this summer.

Three-time British & Irish Lions Will Greenwood believes Brian O'Driscoll should shade Paul O'Connell in the competition to caption The Lions on the summer tour to South Africa.

Keith Wood believes England are suffering from a lack of star players and insists it will take all of Martin Johnson’s fabled leadership skills to change their fortunes.

NOT so long ago the prospect that Ireland would have twice as many teams in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals as France was unthinkable.

WILL GREENWOOD believes the smart money is on the Ospreys to win the Heineken Cup – and he wasted no time in hunting down the nearest bookies after the quarter-final draw was made.

BRING on the world champions!

MARTIN JOHNSON believes a bold selection policy is key to a successful Lions tour as competition to lead the 2009 squad to South Africa intensifies.

EDDIE JONES claims Jonny Wilkinson is not the player he was in 2003 – but the former Australia coach knows the England star is still capable of again booting his country to World Cup glory.

Former England captain Martin Johnson says uncapped Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss has earnt his England call-up for Saturday’s game against Wales but insists the team need to improve their performance.

England’s troubled autumn Test series has continued after Iain Balshaw was ruled out of Saturday’s clash against South Africa at Twickenham.

MAKE no mistake, it’s been a bad six months for rugby on this side of the equator.

England captain Martin Corry today backed head coach Andy Robinson as the best man to mastermind a successful World Cup defence.

England boss Andy Robinson has named five uncapped players – including New Zealand-born Wasps star Mark Van Gisbergen – in his 30-man squad for the autumn Tests.

The Lions suffered a late blow as they targeted a consolation prize at Eden Park in today’s final Test against New Zealand.

Simon Lewis, Auckland